Wednesday, October 9, 2024

25 thrilling issues to do at Halloween in London with youngsters

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Because the evenings get darker and winter approaches, it’s time for all issues ugly, ghoulish and assured to make you scream – and should you’re spending Halloween in London with youngsters, there’s loads of spine-chilling enjoyable.

Vintage view of Big Ben & Houses of Parliament with muted misty effect - for the best spooky fun this autumn, these are the top things to do at Halloween in London with kids

Whereas Halloween is barely after October half-term in London, you’ll discover loads of household actions have an added serving to of spookiness all through the vacation week.

So whether or not you’re visiting with teenagers who’re eager to be terrified or youthful youngsters who’re all in regards to the pumpkins, you’ll discover loads of scarily good enjoyable this Halloween in London. UPDATED FOR 2023

The London Dungeons

The place higher to start out your terrifying journey than a go to to the London Dungeon? This Halloween in London, you’re transported again to 1815 to face your demons – however will you escape the fees of treachery alongside the best way?

For now, should of what you’ll discover inside will stay a thriller – however should you’re courageous sufficient, you possibly can prebook now… and simply pray you emerge unscathed!

Evidently, this one is healthier for older youngsters (beneficial for 10+), and it’s nicely value prebooking tickets because it does promote out over Halloween. The fearsome enjoyable runs from October 13-31.

Image showing a graphic of the London Eye on the Essential Guide to London with kids ebook cover, and the words 'click to buy my 33-page guide to London. Itineraries, tips and all you need to know before a visit to London with kids' linking to my the London with kids shop page

The London Bridge Expertise & London Tombs

Journey again in time to find over 2,000 years of the world’s darkish and ugly historical past as a part of The London Bridge Expertise. The spooky interactive walk-through journey options stay actors enjoying a few of London’s most notorious characters, together with Jack The Ripper, William Wallace, and lots of extra. 

Then, for a very terrifying Halloween expertise in London, you may make your approach right down to the scare maze that’s the London Tombs. Right here you’ll must squeeze your approach by the confined catacombs, trying to flee the zombies, spiders, clowns, bloody butchers, and different creatures of nightmares round each nook.

The London Bridge Expertise is for kids 4+, whereas the London Tombs is barely appropriate for kids 11+ – however be warned, the Tombs have been topped the UK’s scariest attraction for the final 13 years, so the attraction positively isn’t for the faint-hearted.

You may e-book a guardian angel tour should you’re visiting with youngsters aged 11 and underneath, to maintain the zombies at bay although.

There’s additionally a particular Halloween expertise for over 16+ this yr on October 20-21 and 26-31 should you’ve received older teenagers who’re feeling courageous.

There’s a reduction on tickets for the London Bridge Expertise should you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

The White Tower at the Tower of London after dark, lit up against a deep blue nighttime sky - discover infamous prisoners and chilling tales at the Tower this Halloween in London with kids

Halloween on the Tower of London

There’s one other spooky Halloween expertise to be discovered at one of many capital’s most well-known sights, the Tower of London, as you observe within the footsteps of a few of its notorious prisoners.

Halloween on the Tower of London is an exhilarating family-friendly journey by the landmark’s haunted previous, operating from October 21-29.

As you tour the Tower’s most infamous websites similar to Traitors’ Gate and the Bloody Tower, youngsters will come head to head with roaming ghosts of characters who spent their closing moments throughout the partitions (with the assistance of projectors and eerie sound results), from Roman troopers to the Wizard Earl.

The ghoulish Halloween Tower Tour is designed to spook not terrify although, and included in common admission. It’s greatest to e-book your ticket prematurely to ensure entry throughout the half-term holidays.

There’s a reduction on tickets for the Tower of London should you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Halloween at Hampton Court docket Palace 

If one haunted royal residence wasn’t sufficient, head right down to Hampton Court docket Palace for an additional eerie expertise by Historic Royal Palaces.

At Hampton Court docket Palace, this Halloween households can uncover the various darkish secrets and techniques of Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace. Children can meet the palace’s ghosts, see portraits come to life within the Gallery of the Damned, and even take part in a séance to listen to voices from past the grave.

With witches and alchemists infesting elements of the palace, and intricately carved pumpkins within the Haunted Backyard, there’s additionally the possibility to hearken to spooky tales and luxuriate in just a few Halloween treats.

The spooky and academic expertise is appropriate for all ages, and runs from October 21-29.

There’s a reduction on tickets for Hampton Court docket Palace should you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden – the Harry Potter tour

If you wish to assure wizards and witches this Halloween, you possibly can all the time head to Hogwarts – or the subsequent smartest thing, at The Making of Harry Potter tour within the Warner Bros studios close to London.

Earlier particular Halloween occasions have included A Celebration of Slytherin, wanting on the home which turned out extra darkish wizards than every other, whereas this yr the main focus is on the Darkish Arts once more from September 15 to November 5.

The shops of Diagon Alley at the Warner Bros Harry Potter studio tour - discover the Dark Arts among the magical displays this Halloween in London with kids

Alongside the best way, you too can spy among the creatures which appeared in the wizarding world, in addition to making an attempt your hand at flying a broomstick: most likely the closest you will get to magic inside half an hour of the capital!

Evidently, tickets e-book up nicely prematurely for this London Halloween time out, so it’s value planning forward should you’ve received your coronary heart set on this magical Halloween – take a look at my ideas for locating tickets to the Harry Potter Studio tour.

For extra concepts of days out for Harry Potter followers in London, take a look at these magical recommendations too…

Tips and Treats at Sea Life Aquarium

Enterprise into Sea Life London Aquarium and also you’ll discover a string of creatures to provide the shivers this Halloween.

In addition to the UK’s greatest assortment of piranhas, this October sees a deal with the spooky creatures hiding beneath the waves from the fearsome Wolf Fish to the mysterious Octopus.

Add in challenges, fill within the exercise sheets and you may earn some Halloween treats too. Runs from October 21-31, included in entry. There a reduction on prebooked tickets (which can be beneficial throughout half-term).

KidZania London Competition of Fright 

2023 TBC: For among the finest issues to do over Halloween in London with youthful youngsters, head to KidZania at London Westfield.

This Halloween, the mini-city is normally reworked into an eerie ghost city, with haunted homes and spooky sightings round each nook.

There are sometimes all types of enjoyable themed actions for kids aged 4-14, together with a Halloween vogue present and dance periods the place youngsters can showcase their monstrous strikes. Final yr, KidZania’s Competition of Fright befell from October 24-30.

There’s a reduction on tickets for KidZania London should you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

View of the Cutty Sark clipper ship in Greenwich - discover some of the gruesome history of the historic ship this Halloween in London with kids

Ghoulish tales on the Cutty Sark

Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark is internet hosting quite a few family-friendly occasions to assist maintain youngsters entertained this October half-term – and on choose dates you possibly can meet Nannie the witch, to learn the way the historic clipper ship received its title, one of many characters on the Cutty Sark.

Plus older youngsters (12+) can get their hearts racing one other approach, by climbing the ship’s well-known masts within the thrilling Cutty Sark Rig Climb Expertise

There’s a reduction on tickets for the Cutty Sark should you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Bounce on the ghost bus

For a ghost tour with a distinction, hop on board London’s Ghost bus tour – it’s household pleasant (though greatest for round age 7+), as you cruise on the ‘orrible omnibus’ to the West Finish, across the metropolis and south of the river.

There are spooky information about a few of London’s greatest recognized landmarks, together with the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, with a creepy conductor offering the commentary.

Set overseas the one Necropolis Bus left, the only survivor of a nineteenth century non-public funeral bus service – painted midnight black – the remainder had been destroyed in a mysterious hearth.

For those who don’t have already got shivers down your backbone, you’re positive to by the point you step off…

Thames Thriller Experience

2023 TBC Velocity alongside the Thames this Halloween in a hair-raising thrill journey expertise with Thames Rockets.

The Thames Thriller Halloween expertise will first take you to discover probably the most iconic websites alongside the River Thames whereas a ugly costumed information tells you a few of London’s creepiest and spookiest tales (family-friendly after all). 

Then, when you attain Tower Bridge, the Rocket revs as much as an electrifying 35mph and have you ever twisting and turning previous the London skyline whereas listening to a monster mash-up of enjoyable Halloween hits. That’s one strategy to get the heartbeat racing this Halloween in London.

Final yr, the Thames Thriller ran from October 29-31 at various occasions all through the three days.

The great hall at Eltham Palace, the oldest part of the site - there's a special family trail to explore this Halloween in London with kids

Halloween Household Quest at Eltham Palace and Gardens

Seize your broomstick and head to English Heritage’s Eltham Palace and Gardens, which is as soon as once more internet hosting considered one of their nice Halloween household occasions this October half-term.

There’ll be a Halloween Quest with creepy clues to resolve, as you discover the grounds of the lavish historic home.

When you’ve accomplished the hunt, youngsters can meet costumed performers and listen to unusual and supernatural tales from occasions previous.

Operating from October 21-29, tickets are free for English Heritage members, in any other case there’s a reduction for reserving prematurely.

Halloween at Charlton Home & Gardens

Begin your personal magical coaching this Halloween at Charlton Home and Gardens with Charlton Home Explorers: Haunted Manor.

Geared toward youngsters aged 5-12, it’s an opportunity to find among the ghosts which stay on the Home – because it has existed for hundreds of years, it’s not stunning there are one or two!

Alongside the best way, you possibly can uncover 400 years of historical past at this historic London manor, recognized for being some of the haunted homes within the metropolis.

Charlton Home’s Halloween occasion is going down on October 24 and 25 between 10am and 1pm. Tickets price £5 and embrace crafts and goodies.

Exterior of Ham House - one of the most haunted places to visit for Halloween in London with kids

Ham Home, Surrey

Ghostly girls are ten a penny however there aren’t fairly as many historic homes that may boast a ghostly canine as Ham Home can.

Add in mysterious chilly spots, ghostly footsteps and a 17th century wanting glass which some folks refuse to stare into for concern of who (or what) may gaze again and its an ideal Halloween time out in London.

A lady in black has additionally been noticed on the steps of the home, whereas a lovelorn nobleman is believed to scream right here – you may even scent pipe smoke, the favorite of the Duke of Lauderdale… who has been lifeless for nicely over three centuries.

There are normally nice crafts for youths within the previous servants’ quarters too, in addition to household occasions throughout October half-term.

Syon Park: Halloween Spooktacular Enjoyable

Syon Park in west London is internet hosting its personal spooktacular enjoyable Halloween occasion for households this half-term, that’s not too scary for youthful youngsters.

Look out for some creepy critters and a terrifyingly good household path, Ghastly Guts, Gory Gravy and GUNPOWDER!

There might be animal dealing with periods from Zoolab, though as a Halloween twist, anticipate them to be hairier and scarier than the standard fluffy enjoyable.

Then head into the historic home, the place costumed guides will thrill you with hair-raising tales, from sinister plots to disgusting gravy and a serving to of added gore. The Halloween occasions at Syon Home in Brentford are going down from October 25-27.

Covent Backyard Halloween Pumpkin Market

Nothing screams Halloween in London like a go to to Covent Backyard’s now well-known Halloween Pumpkin Market, in addition to different spine-chillingly enjoyable occasions deliberate.

The centrepiece is recognizing 200 pumpkins, squashes, and gourds of all sizes and colors in Covent Backyard’s iconic central market constructing, surrounded by beautiful autumnal floral shows. Children will love wandering amongst the pumpkins, on the lookout for the right one to take dwelling and carve simply in time for Halloween.

Don’t overlook to deliver the digicam, because it’s an ideal alternative for some nice household Halloween images!

For extra concepts of locations to choose pumpkins close to London, take a look at this submit for the most effective pumpkin choosing places

Line of different colours pumpkins, squashes and gourds - the display at Covent Garden is a fun places to visit at Halloween in London with kids

Halloween Pumpkin Carving at Chelsea Physic Backyard

What’s Halloween with out a pumpkin? And at Chelsea Physic Backyard, you possibly can study all about pumpkin vegetation earlier than carving your personal to take dwelling.

Geared toward youngsters aged 6+ (who have to be accompanied by an grownup), you’ll get all the things you must create your personal jack-o-lantern throughout the periods going down on October 24 and 26, 2023.

Tickets embrace entry to the Backyard, priced £20 for adults, £15 for kids, and periods run from 1pm to 3pm, contained in the backyard’s spooky shed. Prebooking tickets is important.

Horniman Museum and Gardens Halloween Honest

2023 TBC. Seize your complete household and head right down to the Horniman Museum’s annual household Halloween truthful on the final Saturday in October.

On the truthful, you’ll usually discover rides, video games, themed arts and crafts workshops, face portray, balloons, and a Halloween path across the gardens. In earlier years, youngsters may additionally get pleasure from mind-boggling close-up magic with Nyko the Magician, spooky science exhibits with Einstein’s Entertainers Halloween Science Spectacular, and a Halloween Parade by the Gardens led by a scary skeleton.

And for fogeys, the truthful will even have loads of meals and drinks stalls, in addition to arts and crafts stalls promoting distinctive and sustainable regionally made presents.

Penguin stands by the edge of the pool at London zoo waiting for feeding time - follow the Top Trumps trail to learn more about the zoo's animals this Halloween in London with kids

Boo on the Zoo at London Zoo

Boo on the Zoo is again at London Zoo once more to maintain the youngsters entertained this October half-term and Halloween.

With all the things from hair-raising animal information to some conventional Halloween crafts, there’s even an opportunity to get pleasure from a session in sorcery this yr.

Some actions are perfect for little ones, together with being reworked right into a black cat or different creepy creature by the zoo’s fearsome face painters (for a charge), whereas older youngsters can really feel a real shiver as they navigate the extinct species graveyard.

Plus there a pumpkins to brighten, menacing masks to craft and loads of devilish demonstrations as nicely. Free with zoo entry, the occasions run from October 21-31.

Discovery Days at Hyde Park: Hair-Elevating Halloween

Wrap up heat and head outdoors with the household this half-term for an additional version of Hyde Park’s household discovery days.

The park’s Hair-Elevating Halloween Discovery Day might be filled with loads of enjoyable and academic hands-on actions for youthful youngsters. You may discover the eerie nature path, guess the ugly contents of the feely containers, hearken to spooky interactive tales, and study in regards to the many bats that decision London’s Royal Parks dwelling.

Fancy gown can be inspired if you wish to escape the Halloween costumes a bit early. The free half-term occasion will run every day from October 24-26, between 11am and 3pm.

Previous Working Theatre, London

For those who’re on the lookout for blood and gore this Halloween, London’s Previous Working Theatre is an eye-opening expertise with a glance again at real medical and surgical practices of way back.

Set within the attic of an 18th century church of the previous St Thomas’s Hospital, it’s the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe and takes you again to the times earlier than anaesthetics.

This Halloween, you too can see the Victorian Working Theatre Reside occasion on October 25, a genuinely chilling take a look at the origins of surgical procedure earlier than anaesthetic and antiseptics. Greatest with older youngsters.

Old tombstones at Highgate Cemetery - one of the more unusual places to visit at Halloween in London with kids

Spy well-known names in a cemetery

The concept of going for a stroll in a cemetery might sound an odd one, however it’s truly an interesting time out with youngsters in London, particularly should you go to one of many Magnificent Seven, the ring of seven graveyards created largely within the Victorian age and impressed by Pere Lachaise in Paris.

Brompton Cemetery has an uncommon attraction for youthful youngsters – Beatrix Potter used to stay close by and a few names on the tombstones apparently impressed characters in her tales: maintain an eye fixed out for Peter Rabbett, Jeremiah Fisher, Mr Nutkins, Mr Brock and Mr McGregor as you go to.

You’ll additionally discover Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, Victorian adventuress Elizabeth Le Blond and pioneering doctor Dr John Snow, plus this cemetery has made numerous appearances in movies, together with Bond film Goldeneye and Sherlock Holmes.

Kensal Inexperienced is London’s largest and oldest public cemetery, with big mausoleums in addition to the grave of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, plus tightrope walker Charles Blondin, greatest recognized for crossing the Niagara Gorge on a tightrope.

Bunhill Fields is a Nonconformist burial floor which dates again to the 1660s, with the graves of writers, artists, intellectuals and radicals, together with John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe and William Blake.

One of the best-known of the cemeteries, Highgate, isn’t free (until you’re a grave proprietor), though the entry cost is minimal (from £4.50 for an grownup ticket to the East Cemetery, 50p for youths) and a few of its catacombs are Grade II listed. It’s the ultimate resting place of Karl Marx, George Eliot and poet Christina Rossetti.

Madame Tussaud’s

The place might be extra spine-chilling than a go to to the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussauds this Halloween?

Scaring Londoners since 1818, this rogue’s gallery consists of among the metropolis’s darkest crime scenes from the previous 150 years, with genuine relics and loss of life masks. Evidently, this actually isn’t one to go to with youthful youngsters – it’s beneficial for 16+ because of the content material.

In case your teenagers determine in opposition to is on the final minute, there’s loads of much less blood-curdling enjoyable too, with everybody from celebrities to superheroes to the royal household on show.

Prebooked tickets are suggested – should you purchase direct, you possibly can reschedule without spending a dime plus there are on-line reductions for reserving prematurely. You can even purchase mixture tickets with the London Dungeon 

My daughter points a wand towards a dragon's egg on top of the afternoon tea stand, with tea chest on the table and books and other props piled on shelves above during our Wizard afternoon tea in London

Get pleasure from a wizard afternoon tea or wand making

Tuck right into a Wizard afternoon tea in central London, on the The Wizard Exploratorium in Soho, or attempt your hand on the half-hour Magic Wand Expertise so as to add some magic to your October.

There’s extra than simply scones and desserts on the afternoon tea, with ‘sand-witches’ plus tea brewed by magic wand – so long as you possibly can solid the precise spells together with your wand to get the components from the puzzle chest, and crack the important abilities of transfiguration to concoct your tea, after all. Lasts for 1h 45 minutes.

Try my assessment of a Wizard Afternoon Tea in London with youngsters

Over youngsters aged 8+ can emerge with their very personal magic wand. After selecting your magical type (mild, darkish or earth magic), you get to choose your wand, the core and a particular ‘tree essence’ (saves reducing down all these wand bushes), earlier than practising just a few primary spells.

Chessington World of Adventures Howl’O’Ween

For those who’re blissful to journey barely outdoors central London, Chessington’s ‘Howl’O’Ween’ Halloween occasion is all the time a great one for households – and tickets embrace entry to the complete theme park and zoo entry.

With adventures for little pumpkins and older thrill-seekers, this yr sees a model new trick or deal with expertise, Enchanted Hole, the place the animal residents unleash their mischievous streak with just a few cheeky methods together with the treats as you discover.

Some previous favourites are again too – beware the Vile Villagers of Wild Woods (go to at earlier occasions for youths aged 5+, after 3pm for 8+), be careful for the Wild Witches of Journey Level, who’ve conjured up a solid of curious characters throughout the resort, and luxuriate in rides at nightfall.

On the mini stage, there’ll be enjoyable and video games from the Witch from Room on the Broom together with the fabulously scary hearth and results of the Banyan present for older guests. Runs from October 7-8 and 14-30, separate ticket required for Enchanted Hole.

Brick or Deal with at Legoland Windsor

The Lego Monsters are taking up, with the return of Brick or Deal with to Legoland Windsor.

And that’s solely the beginning of the Halloween themed enjoyable on the theme park, which is being reworked right into a pumpkin-filled wonderland from September 28 to November 5.

Try the frightfully enjoyable 4D film, The Nice Monster Chase, watch the Monster Jam present, plus there’s an opportunity to move to the Monster Road walk-through expertise, with its Creepy Crypts… should you’re courageous sufficient.

Plus all the standard enjoyable, and a few nice themed Lego builds to be discovered. Prebooking is extremely beneficial throughout half-term

For extra concepts of the most effective issues to do at October half-term in London with youngsters, take a look at my high picks

Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee

Tower of London/Warner Bros Studio Tour/Cutty Sark copyright MummyTravels/all different pictures courtesy of Depositphotos

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